Monday, February 25, 2013

There has been a massive outpouring from the media in response to Ralph Hotere’s death on Sunday. This time the
role of one of our important artists has been powerfully and publically acknowledged
for his contribution to our culture’s history and development. The irony will
not be lost on those who knew Hotere as one of a small band of artists who
refused to take part in the media round. He always said that if you wanted
answers you needed to find them in the work and he stuck to that philosophy.
Hotere quotes are few and far between.

We had our own experience of the Hotere
silence when we asked for an interview back in the late 1970s. “I really have
nothing to say to you,” he replied to our note, “but you are more than welcome
to come and spend a day with me and my work.” So we did. Hotere was wry and
funny and thoughtful never once suggesting that the two Wellington eager
beavers might be keeping him away from important work. It was a memorable day
and as it turned out not the last. Now that contemporary art by Maori artists
is simply accepted as another key part of our culture, it is hard to remember
how hard this acceptance was won and what a pivotal part Ralph Hotere played in
the winning.